I have been a quote collector and quote monger for at least as long as I've been an atheist and probably a good deal longer. My admiration for those who enjoy reputations as wordsmiths extends even further back, whether we're talking about John F. Kennedy's assertion: "We choose to go to the moon," George Santayana's warning: "Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it," or James T. Kirk's deft observation when faced with the dauntingly huge First Federation ship: "Not chess, Mr. Spock ... poker!"

The realm of atheist activism has had its own share of verbal craftsmen and women, from Madalyn Murray O'Hair's: "An atheist believes that a hospital should be built instead of a church." to Aron Ra's succinct: "If you can't show it, you don't know it."

Regardless of the topic, these are words which are capable of fomenting inspiration, reflection, and sometimes even action. They can educate and illuminate the human condition and allow us to better know ourselves. That said, here is an open invitation to share those words which have been particularly meaningful or impactful or timely or just special to you for one reason or another.

Let's share those words and have fun!

One bit of clerical business: please hold your quotes in the comment area below to 20 lines or 200 words. One comment should not so dominate the Home page of this group that no other comment is visible. That way, the briefer comments and quotes of all participants are more likely to be seen, read, and appreciated. If you have a long quote or commentary, create a post, please.

Discussion Forum

There has been a major shot across President Donald Trump's bow and it came, believe it or not, from Fox News. Specifically, it came from Fox reporter and commentator Neil Cavuto, in response to a…Continue

Last week Loren shared this quotation in the group comments:But here steps in Satan, the eternal rebel, the first freethinker and the emancipator of worlds. He makes man ashamed of his bestial…Continue

On 31 May, 2018, Joan Denoo posted a most excellent quote from David Hume: That quote was well deserving of a response, which is the following:The most preposterous notion that H. sapiens has ever…Continue

"I do not believe that just because you're opposed to abortion, that that makes you pro-life. In fact, I think in many cases, your morality is deeply lacking if all you want is a child born but not a…Continue

I wonder how many men, hiding their youngness, rise as I do, Saturday mornings, filled with the hope that Bugs Bunny, Yosemite Sam and Daffy Duck will be there waiting as our one true always and forever salvation? -- Ray Bradbury, "Why Cartoons Are Forever"

Oh, those old Warner Bros. cartoons. Loved 'em as a kid, still love 'em now for their madcap, uninhibited slapstick craziness. Saturday morning TV has forgotten about them; thankfully, DVDs have not.

At 83 years old, as a world traveler, I would like to do it all over again, just one more time. Time, it flies as on the wings of a magnificent bird, destination often unknown. My next trip will be into the soil to be food for Earth-critters. Struggles along the way were hard, however, I am content, happy to shed the dregs of corruption that pervades our current society.

My endeavors to make the Earth a better place than I found it didn't happen, however, I am encouraged in that the descendants that come from my line have courage, imagination, intelligence, ambition, and vision. What I cannot accomplish, perhaps they can.

No amount of money ever bought a second of time. -- Tony Stark, citing his father, Howard, Avengers: Endgame

A critical lesson, one which has been made by other observers, and yet still really isn't very well learned in our culture. I know I waste time, and I wish I didn't as much. Still, there are those with influence who squander one hell of a lot more, leaving the rest of us to cover the cost.

Thank you, Joan; and also Loren for that brief grace. It reminds me of one some Humanistic Jews use, editing the invisible middleman out of the traditional blessing and instead concisely praising the farmers, bakers, etc. who deserve our thanks: "Blessed are they who bring forth bread from the earth."

Unfortunately it was my parents who continually drove it home that something was wrong with me. I never ''measured up''. I was even sent to a psychiatrist, but never knew why other than something was wrong with me.